Managed by Meanwhile Space CIC, in Partnership with Brent Council, The Coming Soon Club has been helping people in Wembley to start their own meanwhile projects in empty spaces in the area through providing access to free space and business support and advice. For more information see http://www.comingsoonclub.co.uk/

In order to support members more widely, Meanwhile Space have secured a meanwhile lease for the ground floor of a prominent, long term vacant, building on Wembley Hill Road called Cottrell House. We plan to transform the ground floor retail unit and adjoined double height garage space into a small cafe, shared workspace, studios and events space to be used by business entrepreneurs and artists interested in working from Wembley.

Pay overheads and service charge for security, pest control, water and utilities

Create a body of local volunteers to collaborate through workshops to design and fit out the space;

Provide low cost, accessible and attractive space for local people to test businesses and develop skills

Why it's a great idea:

At Cottrell House we are creating a space for public use in Wembley to pilot and nurture new business ideas during the next year. Local people will have the opportunity to design, build and use the space with the help of creative collective, The Decorators. The prominent building has been empty for several years and this project is an opportunity to bring vibrancy back to the space for the benefit of the local community and to grow a co-working culture to Wembley.

Steps to get it done:

Liaise with landlord / property agent to secure premises on a meanwhile basis;

Work with local company to undertake remediation work;

The Decorators will deliver workshops to collaborate with a body of local volunteers to design and create the space;

Plan a launch event to market the space to the local community;

Manage and schedule the collaborative use of the space following a call for proposals

Curate short and long term occupants and support them to develop their business ideas

About the Project Creator

Meanwhile Space are a Community Interest Company that incorporated in July 2009, stimulated by a combination of the directors' track record for project delivery and a central government grant to the Development Trusts Association to deliver a nationwide initiative called the Meanwhile Project. The CIC was the delivery arm of the Meanwhile Project which aimed to boost community uses of empty properties and sites. The project has built a 'library' of ideas and information as a resource to make it easier for both the landlord and the project sides to realise Meanwhile opportunities, including the Meanwhile Manual, Lease and Insurance policies.
Meanwhile Space is unique due to our relationships and project working with the private, public and community sector. We have the knowledge and the tools to work with any meanwhile space and have a network of people interested in trailing projects. We believe that space offers people the opportunity to trial ideas and businesses creating a more vibrant and sustainable place.